The free agent period begins soon in the NFL. While it officially doesn’t fire up until mid-March, the NFL Scouting Combine typically marks when teams and agents really begin earnestly courting one another in free agency, too.
The Detroit Lions figure to be net spenders in free agency once again. That’s as much of a function of not being scheduled to lose any critical or high-priced free agents of their own, but also banking on GM Brad Holmes being a man of his word on adding more talent to the Lions.
In his year-ending press conference, Holmes talked about being smart in free agency. Being prudent in finding value in free agency will be an emphasis, and that means finding players who fit the Lions well but might not necessarily carry the league-wide demand or big-name appeal to drive the price tag up.
Holmes and the Lions have done a good job finding players like this, including OL Graham Glasgow (now a free agent himself), WR Kalif Raymond, RB David Montgomery, DL John Cominsky, LB Alex Anzalone and more.
Here are four names who could fit that value bill for the Lions and Holmes in the upcoming free agent period in 2024.
Za’Darius Smith, EDGE, Browns
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Smith gets surprisingly little attention for a guy with 15.5 sacks in the last two seasons. Maybe it’s because only 5.5 of those came in 2023, and he did that in Cleveland while playing opposite Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.
Smith, now 33, is no longer the Pro Bowler from the Packers a few years ago that Lions fans might recall. However, he’s still an effective outside-in pass rusher who can finish in the backfield and plays with positional discipline.
With the Lions overhauling the EDGE position —Julian Okwara is already in Philadelphia, and both his brother Romeo and Charles Harris are free agents — the Lions could be in the market for a more productive veteran looking for one last shot at a Super Bowl. That’s Smith.
Arthur Maulet, CB, Ravens
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Maulet is coming off his best overall NFL season, playing primarily as a slot corner for the Ravens.
The 30-year-old journeyman began his NFL career in New Orleans under Aaron Glenn’s tutelage. He bounced around a few teams before finding his stride in the last three years as an aggressive slot/box DB who can play in either man or zone coverage. Maulet is only 5-10 but does have some experience playing outside CB, too.
In Baltimore and Pittsburgh, Maulet proved to be a valuable run defender and versatile depth piece who can play single-high safety in a pinch. He’s probably not a full-time starter, but the Lions don’t need a starting slot/heavy nickel DB–that’s Brian Branch.
Maulet could provide a more consistently reliable general reserve defensive back than Will Harris has in that role for the last few seasons in Detroit. The 30-year-old also has extensive special teams experience in a variety of roles. That means he could also replace the spot that Chase Lucas has held for a couple of seasons, but Maulet has far more proven upside at also playing on defense.
Evan Brown, OL, Seattle
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Yeah, it’s that Evan Brown. The one who started 28 games in Detroit in 2021-22 at guard and center as an injury replacement.
Brown left for Seattle as a free agent a year ago and started 16 games for the Seahawks, 15 at center and one at left guard. Now he’s a free agent once again, and a return to his role as the top interior offensive line reserve would make a lot of sense for both parties.
Brown didn’t play poorly in Seattle, but he also didn’t do a lot to advance his earning capability beyond the $2.5 million he earned on his one-year deal in 2023. For a Lions team that is looking at the top three guards from 0=last season all hitting free agency, a familiar face with skillful positional versatility and proven ability to work with OL coach Hank Fraley should be a coveted asset.
Ka’imi Fairbairn, K, Texans
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The Lions have burned through kickers over the Dan Campbell coaching era, and the Michael Badgley 2.0 experience appears to be the latest one that is over.
Fairbairn could be a nice upgrade at the position, if the Lions are interested in investing a little more in the position. The 30-year-old has been one of the NFL’s most reliable kickers from distance; he’s 19-of-24 from beyond 50 yards in the last four seasons and has a 61-yard make to his name. Fairbairn is experienced kicking in a dome and in the playoffs, too.
His biggest detraction for the Texans, where Fairbairn has spent his entire seven-year career, is that he’s not great on kickoffs. That’s not an issue in Detroit, where punter Jack Fox handles those duties.